THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996              TAG: 9602160519
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
TYPE: Local Briefs 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   35 lines

FISHING CHANGES

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission is considering changing a law to allow the state's fisheries director to close some areas of the Atlantic Ocean to certain types of fishing gear ``in order to address issues involving user conflicts.''

Under the proposed rule, it would be illegal to use specific types of commercial fishing gear during times and dates that the director mandates from the Friday before Easter through Dec. 31 in the following areas:

All or part of the Atlantic Ocean, up to a half-mile from the beach;

Up to a half-mile in all directions of Oregon Inlet;

Up to a half-mile in all directions of Hatteras Inlet;

Up to a half-mile in all directions of Ocracoke Inlet;

Up to a half-mile of the Cape Lookout Rock Jetty;

Up to a half-mile in all directions of public fishing piers;

Up to a half-mile in all directions of state parks;

Up to a half-mile of marinas, as defined by the state's Coastal Resources Commission.

The state's Marine Fisheries Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed rule change at 9 a.m. March 15 during a meeting in Raleigh. Officials will accept comments on the suggested rule until March 14. To comment on the proposed rule, write the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission at: P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557. by CNB